Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The Syracuse University football team is preparing to take on the USC Trojans in its biggest matchup of the season.
On Saturday, the Orange will be away from the Carrier Dome when they host the Trojans at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
SU played USC in Los Angeles last year, but the Trojans needed the motivation of playing in the two-year-old home of the Giants and the Jets to travel across the country to complete the home-and-home series.
SU has been doing everything it can to create the feeling that it has a home-field advantage in the New York City area.
“Well I think it’s really cool to get a chance to go and see them in a new stadium…new environment,” said SU law student Stephen McNamee. “I’ve never been to MetLife Stadium. I heard it’s really nice.”
The school is trying to ensure that students have a significant presence at the stadium by providing free busing. The students are responding by filling up each bus.
"I think it's a great opportunity considering that tickets are free for student season ticket holders…chance to go down to an NFL stadium,” said SU senior Paula Paliga.
Caz Limo is seeing a boost in business.
"Didn't know what people were going to spend to go down to NYC. People purchased here and there, then within the last two or three weeks it has exploded,” said Mike Russett of Caz Limo.
Russett says he’s sold out. He compared it to the boost his company received two years ago when the Orange played in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
"It’s going to be fun to have all these people in the parking lot on Saturday…all decked out in Orange and ready to go down and see what we can do,” Russett said.
Syracuse fans will have to become accustomed to regular trips to the New York City area.
“New York’s College Team” will play Penn State and Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium within the next few years and a deal for 10 more games beginning later in the decade.
Tickets are currently available on StubHub, but fans will still need to find a way to travel to the game.
